Christmas in July - 2000 - London Fringe Articles Page 9

The National Philharmonic ends its 2017-2018 season at The Music Center at Strathmore with a musical celebration, '100th Anniversary of Poland's Independence,' on Saturday, June 2 at 8 p.m. at the Concert Hall at the Music Center at Strathmore. Conducted by world-renowned Polish Maestro Miroslaw Jacek Baszczyk, the concert will feature music composed by Poland's greatest musicians, performed by some of today's leading vocalists and musicians.

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 209th season with the ultimate feel-good musical, MAMMA MIA! Filled with ABBA's catchiest hits, and directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, this high energy musical begins previews on May 15th, opens on May 23rd, and runs through July 15th on the Walnut Mainstage.

Today, The Cleveland Orchestra and Music Director Franz Welser-Most have announced that Lisa Wong has been named Director of Choruses for The Cleveland Orchestra, effective immediately. The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus is one of the few professionally trained, all-volunteer choruses sponsored by a major American orchestra. Its members hail from nearly fifty Cleveland-area communities and together contribute more than 15,000 volunteer hours to the Orchestra's music-making each year. Wong will hold the Frances P. and Chester C. Bolton Director of Choruses Endowed Chair.

It has just been announced that stars Ana Gasteyer as ("Miss Hannigan') and Megan Hilty ("Lily St. Regis.") have joined the cast of the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production of ANNIE, which will take place Friday, July 27, at 8 pm, Saturday, July 28, at 8 pm, and Sunday, July 29, at 7:30 pm. 

New York Classical Theatre (Stephen Burdman, Artistic Director), New York City's only all-free professional Off-Broadway theatre company, is pleased to announce a new production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to celebrate its 19th Anniversary Season. The production, directed by Mr. Burdman, is the company's first staging of Shakespeare's tale of star-crossed lovers, and will be presented in five New York City parks - Central Park, Rockefeller Park/Battery Park City, The Battery, Carl Schurz Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park - with performances from June 5 through July 29 at 7:00 PM. There is no ticketing, and all performances are free and open to the public. New York Classical Theatre also invites audiences to experience unique behind-the-scenes access to open rehearsals on selected dates for each of the five park stagings. 

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 209th season with the ultimate feel-good musical, MAMMA MIA! Filled with ABBA's catchiest hits, and directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, this high energy musical begins previews on May 15th, opens on May 23rd, and runs through July 15th on the Walnut Mainstage.

The world's changing, bro. This summer, Goodman Theatre premieres Support Group for Men, a new comedy by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior. Fairey, whose work has been hailed 'a must-see for anyone who follows important new plays' (Chicago Tribune), explores shifting social and gender roles through the lens of four men who gather every Thursday night to vent about middle-aged maladies.

The Jamie Lloyd Company, Ambassador Theatre Group, Benjamin Lowy Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions and Glass Half Full Productions present an extraordinary season of Harold Pinter's one-act plays on the tenth anniversary of the Nobel Prize winner's death, performed in the theatre that bears his name.

The National Philharmonic ends its 2017-2018 season at The Music Center at Strathmore with a musical celebration, "100th Anniversary of Poland's Independence," on Saturday, June 2 at 8 p.m. at the Concert Hall at the Music Center at Strathmore. Conducted by world-renowned Polish Maestro Miros?aw Jacek Baszczyk, the concert will feature music composed by Poland's greatest musicians, performed by some of today's leading vocalists and musicians. The performance will commence with an introduction by the Ambassador of Poland, Piotr Wilczek. The 100th anniversary of Poland has significant meaning for the National Philharmonic, which is led by Polish-born Music Director and Conductor Piotr Gajewski. One of the National Philharmonic's veteran artists, Brian Ganz-who will perform at the Polish celebration concert-is also a frequent performer of Frederic Chopin, beginning a quest in 2011 to perform all of the great Polish composer's works. During this celebratory concert, Maestro B?aszczyk will lead the National Philharmonic Chorale, accompanied by Esther Heideman, soprano; Magdalena Wor, mezzo-soprano; Tyler Duncan, baritone; and the National Philharmonic in Krzesimir D?bski's Hussars' Polonaise and Karol Szymanowski's Stabat Mater and Mr. Ganz in Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21.  Ticket prices are $23-$76 and are free for young people age 7-17. Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301.581.5100.

Known across the world for her powerful voice and perfect pitch, Lea Salonga has been announced for the role of Grace Farrell in Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of Annie, one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history, which will be this summer's annual staged musical at the Bowl.  

Casting is announced for two REPRISE 2.0 productions with two Tony Award leading actress nominees: Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde - Tony Nomination, Hairspray, Anger Management) is to play Charity in Sweet Charity, directed and choreographed by three time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall from June 20 to July 1, and Carmen Cusack (Bright Star - Tony Nomination, Wicked) is to play Victoria Grant in Victor/Victoria directed by Richard Israel and choreographed by John Todd from September 5 to 16 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

A collective of perspectives. A public outcry. The establishment of a movement. This month, two new plays- Until the Flood by Dael Orlandersmith, directed by Neel Keller and florissant & canfield by Kristiana Rae Colon, directed by Derrick Sanders-bring a national dialogue to the stage.

Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Casey Reitz, Executive Director) has announced additional casting for the New York Premiere of TRACY LETTS' acclaimed play, MARY PAGE MARLOWE.

Nuffield Southampton Theatres Present The World Premiere Of SS MENDI: DANCING THE DEATH DRILL by critically acclaimed Cape Town-based Isango Ensemble. Part of 14-18 NOW, the UK's official arts programme for the First World War centenary, the production commemorates an untold tragedy from WW1 that took place off the coast of Southampton. Prior to rehearsals beginning Samuel Hodges, Director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres will visit Cape Town where the SS Mendi began its journey. Mark Dornford-May directs the production which opens at Nuffield Southampton Theatres on Wednesday 4 July with previews from Friday 29 June and performances until Saturday 14 July. Dubbed the 'Black Titanic', the sinking of SS Mendi was one of the worst maritime disasters in the 20th century in UK waters.

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 209th season with the ultimate feel-good musical, MAMMA MIA! Filled with ABBA's catchiest hits, and directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, this high energy musical begins previews on May 15th, opens on May 23rd, and runs through July 15th on the Walnut Mainstage.

Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater Announces its 2018 Summer Theater Season featuring 4 outstanding plays and the return of WHAT for Kids.

Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that tells the story of the final week in the life of Jesus Christ. It begins with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ends with the crucifixion. It also highlights the political and interpersonal struggles between Jesus and one of his 12 apostles, Judas Iscariot that are not present in the Bible narratives.

The centennial of renowned American composer Leonard Bernstein is celebrated throughout the National Philharmonic's 2018-2019 concert series at The Music Center at Strathmore. Performing compositions that influenced Bernstein, as well as some of his very own famous works, the National Philharmonic will be the only symphony orchestra dedicating most of its 2018-2019 season to the works surrounding the legendary composer. 

Ken Davenport and Kurt Deutsch announced today that they have optioned the musical rights to the characters from the hit film franchise Vacation by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures to develop a new musical Broadway Vacation.

Artistic Director Robert Falls announces Goodman Theatre's new 2018/2019 Season-a 14-play line-up of timely, original and inspired works curated by Falls in collaboration with his artistic associates. The new season, which begins in September and continues through July 2019, includes 10 full productions on the Goodman's stages (856-seat Albert Theatre and 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre) plus three free New Stagesdevelopmental productions, and one TBA production TBA staged as part of the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance's 2018 International Latino Theater Festival. Goodman Theatre memberships, including new flexible packages, are now available for purchase.

The Old Globe, together with Children's Theatre Company (CTC), and in partnership with The Old Vic, today announced details for the Minneapolis and San Diego productions of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax in its U.S. premiere. The production, based on the book The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, is adapted for the stage by David Greig (Artistic Director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company; recent work: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cover My Tracks) with music and lyrics written by Charlie Fink (Frontman/songwriter for the hit musical group, Noah and the Whale (2007-2015). H. Adam Harris, along with Meghan Kreidler and Rick Miller puppeteering, will play The Lorax. Joining them is Steven Epp as The Once-ler. Playing multiple roles in the ensemble are Ansa Akyea, Christopher Becknell, Stephanie Bertumen, Brian Bose, Ryan Colbert, Lynnea Doublette, Johannah "Joh" Easley, Rajane Katurah, Ryan Lear, Ryan Dean Maltz, Emily Michaels King, and Autumn Ness.

Chicago Shakespeare announces today fourteen productions in the Theater's 2018/19 Season-encompassing the dynamic and diverse range of offerings which have come to characterize a company that defies theatrical category. The season features programming across Chicago Shakespeare's performance spaces-the Courtyard Theater, the theater Upstairs, The Yard, and even in the lobby's Pub-fully activating the Theater's vibrant and multifaceted campus on Navy Pier.

As the celebrations, performances, and successes of The Cleveland Orchestra's Centennial Season continue toward its conclusion this spring, the Orchestra has announced details of its 101st season for 2018-2019. Aspects of the celebratory spirit continues - with a 100th Birthday concert in July for the Cleveland community and Centennial Gala in September. The new season also extends the dedicated week-to-week work, creativity, and artistry required to continue being one of the world's best orchestras year after year.

REPRISE 2.0 is now announced, presenting a season of three classic American musicals at UCLA's Freud Playhouse, by Marcia Seligson, Producing Artistic Director of the new performing arts organization.  REPRISE 2.0 is partnering with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's Department of Theater (UCLA TFT), chaired by Brian Kite. 

Portland Center Stage at The Armory's 2018-2019 season will feature 11 productions along with a special 10th anniversary return engagement of Storm Large in Crazy Enough, a show that had its world premiere at The Armory in 2009 and became one of the company's biggest hits.